True to their words, the gang opted to relax for a short period before proceeding out for the commencement of today's plans here at Flocaster. The first thing that they're going to do is to grab something to eat at the eatery nearby.

Around half an hour seems to be qualified for the definition of a short rest, and as such, Gray and Isamu emerged out of their room feeling all good to go. The pair then knocked on the women's room, which was designated as the number 31. 

Lily was the one who answered the door, followed by Selena trailing behind her. Speaking of the ladies, they get along reasonably enough, to say the least. Although Selena still does not precisely trust Lily due to the latter's affiliation with the Order and being a stalker for the past three months, at least the little Sentinel is not showing any hostility and only communicated at a bare minimum when she had to. It's safe to say that Selena won't be opening up to the Druid anytime soon. In the case of Lily, though, she saw this as a challenge of a sort, noticing how slightly cold Selena is feeling towards her. The Druid steeled her resolve to be not disheartened and opted to make Selena slowly open up to her by being friendly, one step at a time.

Anyways, break time is over, and the gang proceeded to the eatery since it's actually almost lunch. They hurriedly went to the said place before it'll inevitably be crowded by many Bards and patrons during the actual noon period. Indeed, they were smart enough to arrive early as they witnessed only a few people around them.

As the gang took their seats, a young server lady approached them with an accommodating aura and handed them a paper containing the menu with a list of food choices. 

***

After the gang indulged themselves with the excellent delicious meal that was gold well-spent, it's time for them to set foot outside and begun their business here at the town.

The gang already discussed where they are going first next during lunch inside, and it's going to be at the Arena grounds at Trade Town so Isamu can register himself for the festival tourney. The other places can wait since today is the last day of registration and is undeniably the most urgent circ.u.mstance of the agenda. 

Isamu is blessed to have such a fine lord and friend with his company, appreciating Gray's gesture about the whole matter.

The gang began trekking the town again, tracing their steps back to the Trade Town district where they found themselves a while ago when they first arrive. After a short while, they came back at the mentioned district and witness the usual crowd at the marketplace haggling for goods and trading with the merchants and artisans. The gang asked one of the locals where the Arena is, and the man happily pointed the direction.

Thanking the man, the gang followed his instructions, and they eventually arrived at the Arena, a gigantic dome establishment that's unquestionably one of the centers of attraction that Flocaster has to offer other than the Bardic University and Steed Palace.

Entering the place, the gang found themselves at the reception hall where a bearded brown-haired middle-aged human male is behind the counter. The hallway itself consisted of various ornamental displays like the statues that are equipped with a full set of plate armor near the walls and paintings of numerous notable individuals that are also hanged on the walls. The place is not so occupied. With no events currently ongoing, there's no reason for the people to enter here until the tourney commences during the festival.

The receptionist wore a simple red tunic with black trousers and brown boots. The gang approached the man to inquire about the event.

"A fine welcome to you, good lords and ladies." The receptionist smiled welcomingly at the gang. "My name is Unver Guilestone, the receptionist of the Arena. What can I do for you folks today?"

Unver Guilestone

Level 16

Health: 2,298 / 2,298

Stamina: 894 / 894

Mana: 385 / 385

Isamu took the initiative and step forward, gesturing Gray that he'll handle the talking from here since this is something that most concerned him. "Greetings to you as well. I'm Isamu Meiyo, and I'm here to register for the upcoming tourney."

"Ah! So a Knight then." Unver said with glee, to which Isamu nodded in agreement. "Well, aren't you a lucky one good sir. Today is actually the last day of registration, and here I thought no one is going to register anymore."

"Lucky indeed. We have only just recently arrived here in town." Isamu made some small talk with a chuckle. "Before I register, can you tell me the rules or the things that I'm going to expect in this tourney? It's my first time partic.i.p.ating in this kind of grand event."

"Of course." Unver obliged Isamu's request. "The festival tourney rules are pretty straightforward. The conditions of victory include either if your opponent is unable to continue combat, most likely by being knocked down, or if your opponent ultimately yields. The tourney is a sport, a test of pure physical prowess and courage, emphasizing only the combat capabilities and fighting techniques of each contestant. As a result, skills and magic are absolutely forbidden. Paladins are a notable example as they are renowned for their use of Divine Magic like Priests. Skills also include the active racial ones since the pa.s.sive skills are truly out of our control and can't help naturally. After all, cat-folks such as yourself truly excel in being unnaturally quick in combat and is a clear disadvantage to other races."

Unver paused for a moment before resuming his explanation about the rules. "Potions and other alchemical concoctions are also out of the question and we have a Mage for inspecting this kind of matter. To make things slightly fair, the tourney is divided into three divisions based on the Knight's level. First, is the Squire's Division, made up of Knights from levels 10 to 20. Then we have the Man-at-Arms' Division, from levels 20 to 30. Lastly is the Chevalier Division, from levels 30 to 45. The tourney will start with a group fight divided into two teams to weed out the compet.i.tion followed eventually by the usual one on one match."

"Uh-huh." Isamu simply nodded in understanding. "How about our equipment? Am I going to use my own, or will you provide it for us?"

"We provide the same tourney equipment to every combatant to even out their stats at a certain degree," Unver answered Isamu's inquiries. "Additionally, you'll be asked to remove any enchanted jewelry or paraphernalia that you are equipped with. The rules may be somewhat harsh and restricting, but this is to provide everyone regardless of level, race, and cla.s.s with the equal opportunity to gain glory and fame. The victor of the tourney will garner 5,000 gold and the chance to choose among the price pool of extraordinarily valuable equipment that we prepared as fitting for a Knight such as yourself.

"The rules make sense, I suppose." Isamu was no doubt enlightened about the tourney's general aspect as a whole. It's somewhat similar to his training at the Warrior's Guild and with Krothu back at Chadena, where both training regimes stressed out a Warrior's combat movements, fundamentals, and techniques as a whole rather than relying on skills from the System. This is one of the reasons why an individual from a Warrior's Guild displayed excellent battle IQ and are quick to adapt in most combat situations, thus, adding to the prominence of the guild and Chadena altogether. After all, Chadena's t.i.tle "Lion of Whitemoor" is not known for nothing, giving birth to the best Warriors of all the land. This means that despite the nerf he will acquire from the tourney, it's no big deal and nothing new.

[+2 ORDER]

Unver took out a piece of paper and quill from below his desk and presented it to the cat-folk as he instructed. "Now, Sir Isamu, I want you to fill in some of your personal information that's listed in the sheet. Your name, hometown, cla.s.s, actual level, and the rank and name of the n.o.ble Lord that you work under with." 

Isamu agreed, complying with the Unver's instructions as he did so. After finis.h.i.+ng the task, he handed it over back to Unver.

Unver inspected and read the registration form. After a short while, he nodded with approval and smiled positively at Isamu. "Looks like everything is in order. Kindly hand me over the registration fee of 100 gold, and you're officially good to go. The tourney will be held three days from now here on the second day of the festival, starting strictly at eight in the morning."

Isamu nodded and conjured a pouch of 100 gold from his Inventory and gave it to Unver as part of the agreement. 

"Let's see, Sir Isamu Meiyo from Chadena. Level 22, u003cChampionu003e cla.s.s, and under the banner of Baron Gray Allister. The information is confirmed correctly?" Unver asked as he double-checked the contents of the registration form to the cat-folk.

"Yes." Isamu ascertained with full confidence. 

"Great!" Unver answered excitingly. "And you are from Chadena, so I believe that you are also a member of the Warrior's Guild?"

"You believe right," Isamu smirked, proud of his status as a guild member of the Warrior's Guild. 

"Then, it will be a glorious display of combat indeed whenever you are on the battlefield." Unver gave his praise. "An esteemed Warrior from the guild exhibiting his warfare mastery is always a welcome sight to behold."

"I won't disappoint then." Isamu crossed his arms with an aura of pure conviction. He always took pride in his combat prowess, and to reveal it in front of the crowd at the upcoming tourney is something that he's certainly looking forward to.

After Isamu's business with Unver has finally concluded, the cat-folk bid his farewell as he went back to his companions. No doubt, Isamu is excited about partic.i.p.ating, and the prospect of being hailed the victor of the tourney looks very promising.